Two far-right House Republicans linked to a document outlining a policy platform requiring the protection of ‘Anglo-Saxon political traditions’ have distanced themselves from what they call a draft prescription for a new ‘America First Caucus’.
Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., Said in a statement on Saturday that he did not ‘write the document in circulation and only became aware of it after it was reported by the news media, adding that he’ will continue to working on America’s first editions in the House Freedom Caucus. ‘
“Let me be completely clear, I did not write this article,” he said. “In fact, I first became aware of it by reading about it as in the news yesterday.”
In addition, Nick Dyer, a spokeswoman for Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., Said in a statement that the document was merely “an early planning proposal and that nothing had been approved or approved.”
When the document first surfaced on Friday, Dyer attacked “dirty subterranean swamp creatures” for sharing the document with Punchbowl News, which first reported on its contents, saying the attempt was related to Gosar and Greene. “Be on the lookout for the release of the America First Caucus platform when it is announced to the public soon,” he added.
Greene herself issued a statement on Saturday calling the platform “a draft proposal from a staff member I have not read”.
The outline of the new group contains a number of nativist ideas that the Democrats denounced as racist, while some Republicans also condemned the attempt. The seven-page organizing document, which contains the group’s name and logo, states: “America is a nation with a border and a culture, strengthened by a common respect for unique Anglo – Saxon political traditions.”
It adds that ‘societal trust and political unity are threatened when foreign nationals are massively imported into a country, especially without institutional support for assimilation and an extensive welfare state to save them if they do not make a positive contribution to the country. ‘
The document supports new infrastructure projects as long as it is in line with ‘the descendants of European architecture, whereby public infrastructure must be utilitarian as well as stunning, classically beautiful, fitting in with a world power and source of freedom.’
Shortly after the release of the document on Friday, Rep-Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, told reporters he was considering joining the group and confirming Greene’s involvement in it, but adding that he did not use the platform language about Anglo-Saxon traditions. have not seen.
“It’s not supposed to be about race at all,” he said. “We are stronger than diversified. But there are some things that help make us strong. Slavery has almost destroyed us.”
Gosar and Greene have both faced setbacks this year – Greene for her promotion of conspiracy theories, which led to Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Condemning her for spreading ‘loony lies’ and that the Democratic House removed her from committees. in February and Gosar for the speech at ‘Stop the Steal’, which promoted the January 6 rally before the riot in Capitol and spread falsehoods about the 2020 election.
Among the Republicans who pushed back on the platform were, among others, rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., What tweeted Republicans “teach our children the values of tolerance, decency, and moral courage.”
“Racism, nativism and anti-Semitism are evil,” she continued. “History teaches that we all have an obligation to confront and reject such malicious hatred.”
Former House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, described NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday as “the so-called America First Caucus” as “one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen”.
“Listen, America is a country of immigration,” he said. “We’re been the world’s giant crucible for 250 years. And we should celebrate that we’re this giant crucible. And to see some members of Congress start and start this America First Caucus, it’s the most lawful thing I’ve seen you before, and the Republicans have to denounce it.
Amanda Golden contributed.